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Workplace Safety News Roundup

by Shannon 06/08/2016

OSHA Issues Final Rule to Help Prevent Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

OSHA issued safety citations to a roofing contractor for exposing workers to fall hazards, as well as other hazards on the job site.

The contractor received citations for three repeated and four serious safety violations after OSHA inspections found employees were not using fall protection.

As a result, the contractor faces proposed penalties of $53,900.

Worker Loses Part of Finger; Employer, Staffing Agency Cited

A candy manufacturer and a staffing agency were cited by OSHA after a temporary worker’s left index finger was partially amputated by a machine.

After the incident, OSHA conducted an inspection, which revealed the following:

The manufacturer failed to guard moving parts of the machine against unintended contact.
Neither the manufacturer nor the staffing agency trained the worker adequately about mechanical and noise hazards and safeguards.
The manufacturer didn’t certify that it had performed periodic inspections of its energy control procedures to prevent the unintended startup of machinery during servicing and maintenance.
The manufacturer didn’t report the amputation to OSH within 24 hours, as required.

The manufacturer faces fines of $46,000, while the staffing agency faces fines of $9,000.

OSHA Schedules Safety Meeting

OSHA has scheduled a meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health from June 14-15 in Washington, DC.

The meeting is slated to include an update on OSHA initiatives from Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels, comments from Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. John Howard, as well as an update on OSHA’s major regulatory activities, and reports from the NACOSH Emergency Response and Preparedness Subcommittee and NACOSH Injury and Illness Prevention Program Work Group.

OSHA Issues Final Rule to Help Prevent Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

by Shannon 06/06/2016

OSHA has issued a final rule that modernizes workplace injury data collection to help more effectively inform workers, employers, the public and OSHA about workplace hazards.

Employers in high-hazard industries will need to now send the injury and illness data that they already collect to OSHA, and that data will be posted on the OSHA website.

OSHA officials feel this public disclosure will motivate employers to focus more on the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses.

This final rule also supports an employee’s right to report injuries and illnesses without worrying about retaliation.

The rule also requires employers with 250 or more employees (in industries that must follow the recordkeeping regulation) to electronically submit injury and illness information from OSHA Forms 300, 300A and 301 to OSHA. Companies with 20-249 employees must submit information from only OSHA Form 300A.

The new rule goes into effect on Aug. 10, 2016; phased in data submissions begin in 2017.

Help prevent accidents and injuries in your workplace with Emedco’s full selection of safety products. Call us at 866-748-5963 or visit emedco.com for the safety solutions you need.

All Workers Have the Right to…

by Julianne Bass 04/07/2016

Losing your job is a scary thing to think about but losing your life should motivate you to speak up if you feel there is an issue within your workplace that has the potential to cause harm. Your job should not be at risk for reporting your observations, if you feel that it might be OSHA can help protect you.

The OSH Act was passed for this very reason back in 1970, to protect workers from being harmed. It is important that workers know their rights and do not turn a blind eye to risks.

According to OSHA all workers have the right to:

Being trained in a language that they understand before commencing work
Work on and around machines that are safe
To be provided the proper safety gear to do their job
To be protected from harmful chemicals
Seek out and OSHA inspection and talk with the inspector
Report their illness or injury and have copies of their medical documents
Have access to workplace illness and injury reporting records
Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses
Obtain information from any tests done to find potential hazards in their workplace

If you feel that your workplace is not holding up their end of the bargain and management is unwilling to listen to you or your coworkers concerns, contact OSHA through filing a complaint to get the ball rolling.

Workplace Safety News Roundup

by Julianne Bass 02/25/2016

Workplace Safety News

Keeping track of new OSHA regulations and taking advantage of supplemental safety training and reading materials makes a big difference in the success of the programs you implement in your workplace. Seeing what others are doing both for the better and worse help mold an all encompassing safety initiative. Here is a sampling of some of the news buzzing around workplace safety this month.

Preventing Slips Trips and Falls around the Loading Dock

Workplace injuries and accidents that cause employees to miss six or more days of work cost U.S. employers nearly $62 billion in 2013, the most recent year for which statistically valid injury data is available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the National Academy of Social Insurance, according to the 2016 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index. That is more than $1 billion per week spent on the most disabling, nonfatal workplace injuries.

FAQ: What’s Coming in 2016 Workplace Safety?

by Julianne Bass 12/03/2015

Silica, recordkeeping, GHS, skills gap, OSHA fines: who can keep track of all the workplace safety news rumblings happening at any given time. When it comes to the matter of what is fact and what is fiction sometimes it is a little difficult to tell. While all of these topics are important let’s focus on the information you need to know for 2016.

Will the Aging Workforce Issue Continue to Have A Greater Impact?

The difference between having workers and having skilled workers is night and day. Someone who has been working on a machine for 30 years is clearly going to be able to offer a lot more expertise on how to best maintain it than those with just a few months or even years under their belt. The skills gap has been a major buzzword in the manufacturing industry for awhile now and all signs point to it only gaining more steam in the years to come. According to the manufacturing institute over the next decade 3.5 million jobs will likely need filling of which 2 million we go unfilled due to the growing skills gap. While some ignore the skills gap all together others are figuring out ways to retain their older workers for longer through ergonomics and new “advisory” positions.

Is OSHA Really Increasing Their Fines by Increase 80%?

Yes indeed they are, as a result of the passing of the new budget signed by President Obama, OSHA fines will be increasing by 80% all at once, to catch up with inflation adjustments dating back to 1990. This will raise max penalties for willful violations from $70,000 to $127,000 and max serious violation fines from $7,000 to $12,477. Adjustments will occur before August 1, 2016.

I Thought All of the GHS Deadlines Passed Already, Why Are We Still Talking About It?

GHS deadlines began back in 2013 starting with employers being responsible for training their employees on the impending changes to chemical labeling and SDS formatting. Since then, manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers have been required to stop shipping all products labeled using old formatting. Unfortunately when upstream suppliers missed their deadlines this made it more difficult to others to continue to meet their requirements. As of June 1, 2016 all companies are required to be fully transitioned over to the new system, No Matter What.

What is the Latest with the Silica Regulation, Will Changes Happen in 2016?

Since OSHA started talking about making changes to the silica standard, it has had a difficult time every step of the way. Silica is really “just the tip of the iceberg”. This topic of discussion opens up broader concerns about permissible exposure limits on all harmful chemicals, many of which haven’t been updated in 10, 20, or 30 years! Then, there is also the concern that OSHA drastically underestimated what it would cost the construction industry to implement the changes necessary under the new rule, by as much as a whopping $4.5 BILLION a year. Needless to say this rule faces much opposition but OSHA is hoping to push it through sometime within the next year or year and a half. Stay tuned for what is sure to be, more to come on this issue.

Is OSHA Going to Make it so Companies Have to Electronically Update a Public Injury and Illness Database?

OSHA has had a lot of traction, in the realm of recordkeeping, with the new implementation of rules at the beginning of 2015 around injury and illness reporting what needs to be reported and under what timeframe. In hopes of keeping that positive momentum going they now focus their attention on two other recordkeeping rules; they will require many companies to regularly report their documentation for public record and clarify an employers’ responsibility for an injury in their workplace and eliminating OSHA’s 6 month statute of limitation on citing them. OSHA hopes to get these rules wrapped up by this time next year.

What Are the Odds: Unique Workplace Hazards That Remind Us of the Importance of Workplace Safety

by Julianne Bass 10/08/2015

Wild animals, objects falling out of the sky, blenders and oncoming trains. Not the usual suspects when it comes to everyday workplace hazards but they have caught headlines for those unfortunate enough to meet their untimely acquaintance. While these hazards are a little outside of the ordinary, there aren’t any hazards that you can anticipate. All hazards should be expected and prepared for.

Here are a few examples that prove why “expect the unexpected” isn’t just a tired cliché, but rather a poignant warning to be taken seriously.

Employer of bear mauling victim could face $15K in fines

An Idaho company is facing more than $15,000 in fines after one of its employees was killed in a bear mauling last year while he was conducting research alone and without bear spray or other personal defense tools in a wilderness area known to have grizzly bears.

Tape measure falls 50 stories, killing worker

A worker fiddling with his tape measure on the 50th floor of a high-rise condo under construction accidentally dropped it and it landed on a man below, killing him.

‘Midnight Rider’ Production Company Cited for Willful, Serious Safety Violation

A worker was killed and several others were injured by a moving train that came barreling through them while they were installing equipment on active railroad tracks for a movie they were working on.

OSHA Compliance Update: Walking and Working Surfaces OSHA New Rule

by Julianne Bass 08/17/2015

What have you been working on since 1990? The year the Simpsons aired for the first time, the Hubble telescope was placed into orbit, and the first navigation system was installed in a car. While all of that was happening, OSHA published the proposed rule addressing slips trips and falls in the workplace. Since then the issue of falls in the workplace has remained one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities. Noticing the need for an update OSHA reopened the rule for comments in 2003 which lead to a second proposed rule being published in 2010. After more than 2 decades in the making OSHA’s final rule on walking and working surfaces is set to be finalized, currently under final review by the white house.

View rule process here.

The New Rule

The new rule will specifically address floor and wall openings, stairs, ladders, scaffold, and elevated platforms. It will specifically impact the current regulation 29CFR 1910 Subpart D. The hope is that when this final rule is published it will provide more clarity, understanding and compliance flexibility in addition to consistency between construction, maritime, and general industry standards.

Changes

Some of the new expected changes will include the ability for businesses to choose from options when providing fall protection, clearly outlined methods of use for the different types of fall protection, and detailed expectations for training of workers around identifying fall hazards, addressing fall hazards, and properly protecting against fall hazards including the limitations of the provided methods of protections.

Check back with Emedco when they make it official for more information.

To view the proposed standard in its entirety click here

Respiratory Protection: Compliance Myths!

by Julianne Bass 08/17/2015

Respiratory protection continues to gain attention and concern in the court of public opinion as issues like permissible exposure limits, silica, and beryllium come to the forefront of OSHA rule proposals for updates or new regulations. While these changes from an enforceable standpoint may not take effect for quite some time, the accountability still falls to safety managers, to make sure their workers are being properly protected, regardless of what outdated regulations imply. Workers continue to come forward who are now suffering the serious effects of not being properly protected while working in the presence of harmful chemicals or debris.

In doing your part to protect your workers from devastating respiratory diseases later on in life, learn from these common missteps when selecting the right respirator for the job.

One Size Fits All. Not true, and in fact one size does not fit most either. All employees need to be fitted specifically for their face. Those who have beards, wear glasses, or need to wear other pieces of PPE, all of these factors must be considered to make sure they are being properly protected. Fit tests should be performed on a yearly basis to make sure there has been no changes, or need for adjustment.

As long as you have one on you’re fine! The respirator you choose can’t just be any old respirator laying around. It has to be suitable for the contaminant you are trying to protect against. Not all respirators are created equally. If protecting against a known contaminant refer to the SDS sheet that should come with all chemicals. If protecting against an airborne contaminant, test your environment to determine the severity and the correct type of respirator that is necessary. Once your contaminants have been identified then proceed to select the correct filter, cartridges and canisters.

They last forever! Think again. The use, storage, inspection, cleaning, disinfection, and repair of respirators all are determining factors in how long a respirator will remain acceptable for use. The more contaminant and time that a respirator is used the quicker it will deteriorate. Some respirators have replaceable filters while others are disposal meant for single use. Know the type of respirator you are using and be sure the properly inspect it before each use. If soiled or damaged play it safe and get a new one.

Put it on your face and go forth and conquer! Not everyone can wear respirators. Breathing through a respirator is often times more difficult. People with existing breathing conditions such as asthma or emphysema may find themselves unable to catch their breath. In addition those with claustrophobia may have difficulty.

For more information on understanding respirators and how to select the right one click here.

Workplace Safety News Roundup

by Julianne Bass 08/17/2015

ASSE Foundation Awards $300,000 Grant to Study Workplace Fatigue

The American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation awarded a three-year, $300,000 grant to a University of Buffalo researcher who proposes the development of a sensor-based, real-time assessment system that will enable safety practitioners to better monitor workplace fatigue. Studies have shown that fatigue is about four times more likely to contribute to workplace impairment than drugs or alcohol.

Would you find this type of system beneficial in your workplace? Read more here.

OSHA Issues Temporary Enforcement Policy for Confined Spaces in Construction

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced a 60-day temporary enforcement policy of its Confined Spaces in Construction standard, which becomes effective Aug. 3, 2015. The agency is postponing full enforcement of the new standard to Oct. 2, 2015, in response to requests for additional time to train and acquire the equipment necessary to comply with the new standard.

Are you breathing a sign of relief at your facility? Find out more here.

Safety Innovations of 2015 so far

The safety world is always changing, evolving, finding new ways to protect. Check out these new products, published in the July 2015 issue of EHS Today, that are designed to keep you even safer than before.

Lifting Equipment Safety Tips

Unless you’re superman, you’re not going to be lifting heavy pallets anytime soon. Enter the forklift. Forklifts are great tools for businesses that need them. But, they can also be very dangerous. Safety is the primary concern around these heavy machines, so understand when they need to be inspected and fixed.

Do you use forklifts at your facility? Read more for helpful safety tips.

Another Visit from OSHA after 4 are now dead

In November 2014, a worker was overcome at a chemical manufacturing facility when a supply line unexpectedly released more than 20,000 lbs. of methyl mercaptan when she opened a drain on a methyl mercaptan vent line. Two co-workers who came to her aid also were overcome. None of the three wore protective respirators. A fourth co-worker – the brother of one of the fallen men – attempted a rescue, but was unsuccessful. All four people died in the building.

Wisdom really does come with age: How to Keep Young Workers Safe

by Julianne Bass 07/08/2015

Those darn whippersnappers always thinking they know everything and that their invincible. This line of thinking can get a young buck in a whole mess of trouble on the job if they aren’t careful. In 2012, 375 workers less than 24 years of age died from work-related injuries and the rate for emergency department-treated occupational injuries of young workers is approximately two times higher than among workers 25 years and older. Sure it is important for young workers to get into the field and start making their way in the world but it is also important to be mindful that they are doing it safely.

Often it is new and inexperienced workers that have the hardest time asking questions, or voicing concerns about problems, even when it’s regarding safety. Ensuring that all workers feel comfortable talking about issues they face should be a top priority for all employers.

Aside from providing open lines of communication free from shaming or ridicule for those who do voice their opinions, consider pairing a young worker up with a more experienced facility veteran to provide a more personal one on one shadowing teaching process. This will help boost camaraderie, giving a young worker a peer instead of an authority figure to reach out to.

The value of bringing up young workers correctly in your business provides a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the future at your facility. Building that relationship of trust and understanding from the beginning will foster great workplace moral and an ownership and dedication to the job at hand.

Reference this OSHA Young Workers Rights site for more helpful information and resources.